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Translation of abstract (English)

The aim of the research in the Finkenbach valley was to show the palaeographic evolution in the Quarternary. The area of investigation was the Finkenbach valley, which is located at the boundary of Alt- and Jungsiedelland (southern Odenwald). With the aid of the results from drilling, measurements, refraction seismology and dating the geomorphogenesis of the sediments, alluvial fans and talus cones can be described. The 14C-dating and the pollen analyses show a maximum age of the Finkenbach valley sediments of 2000 years. Therefore the depositing of these layers can be correlated with the medieval settlements and agricultural use of the flood plains and the valley slopes. If these investigation results are compared to similar results from the Kraichgau area one can state that the anthropogenic exploitation of the Finkenbach valley began almost three millenniums later than in the Kraichgau area. Different methods were used to reconstruct the development of the talus cones which can be found regularly at confluences of steep v-shaped valleys. These forms were mostly accumulated during periglacial periods. Nevertheless up to two meter thick sediments were accumulated on top during the Middle Ages when man cut the forests for different farming activities. These sediments are comparable to those of mud flows regarding the sizes of the transported blocks and the irregular structure of the deposits. In modern times the sediments of events of lower magnitude were deposited on top. Finally, it can be concluded that the formation of the relief in the research area took place in two basic periods. The major part of the contemporary relief formed during the periglacial era. In the Holocene era the landscape changed only little, though, with the anthropogenic influence being very important.